Breakaway by Joel Shepherd - a review

Guest Author - Laura Lehman

Cassandra Kresnov is an artificial human, created as a hunter-killer by the pro-biotech League. After escaping the League for the Federation world of Callay in Crossover, she has become an integral to the city of Tanusha's security organization (the CSA). Despite her contributions to the team many citizens still view her with suspicion. Now as Callay votes on a proposed break from the Federation her existence is in jeopardy.

In the city of Tanusha two factions-- the Federation and the League-- are battling for control. Terrorists are plotting, politicians are plotting and Sandy has to trust a CSA underground informer that she's not quite sure is trustworthy. Complicating matters more, the League sends a delegation to Tanusha and she worries they may have come to take her back.

Breakaway is a nice follow up to Crossover and just as action filled. Shepherd's character continue to create an deep and complex story against the turmoil of political and technological change. The only criticism I have is the philosophical musings sprinkled through out the story. Not so much that they are there-- these thoughts could very well be the musings of an artificial human on the nature of mankind-- but more their frequency. There were several instances where I felt it was a little too much.

My RecommendationBreakaway by Joel Shepherd is a good continuation of the story begun in Crossover. Sandy continues to be an interesting character, as does the political turmoil in Callay. I look forward to the next book in the series.